Helping Hydrate Haiti - Rotary Clubs Make a Difference in Third World Regions

Once again, the Rotary Club of Glens Falls, in conjunction

with Capital Region Rotary District 7190, are hosting their walking event

to aid Pure Water projects. The club raised thousands of

dollars the last few years as a result of their annual Water Walk event

and are gearing up to make this year even bigger.

More teams are anticipated to participate as word spreads of the fun teams have on the day. The event raises money or vital work in impoverished countries to bring pure drinking water to areas desperately in need. Last year we raised money to bring thousands of homes and schools in southern Honduras, Haiti, and Guatemala bio-sand water filters. These filters work to eliminate a vary high percentage all of the water-borne illness plaguing that region.

The event, slated for May 10th in Crandall Park, Glens Falls, is the culmination of an effort by participating teams to raise both money and awareness to the plights of millions of people worldwide. The event, itself, is a relay-style walk-a-thon through Crandall Park with a lunch and fun activities in the park all day long. Teams can win awards and prizes for the funds they raise, the number of laps completed and the team dress they wear.

Pure drinking water is now a major initiative for Rotary International after the huge success of the Polio Plus campaign to eradicate polio from the world.

Locally, the Rotary Club of Glens Falls has spearheaded the drive to help Pure Water for the World (PWW) bring potable water to those poorest nations in need.

In past years the focus was on Guatemala and Honduras.They started a bio-sand filter manufacturing plant in Choluteca in

southern Honduras and continue to build and distribute them there.

The money was raised from both Rotary grant applications

and from local fundraising efforts. The past few years, after ensuring the

continuity of the Honduran project, the club and PWW began focussing on Haiti. Local entrepreneur, Charles Adams, made all the initial contacts

and set the wheels in motion for Rotary to facilitate the program there.

Charles was kidnapped in Haiti a few years ago while scouting out how to best direct the PWW efforts in that country.The Glens Falls Club has been a catalyst for great progress in these endeavors through sending their own